James Hickey

Explorer Tom Brookside in Ballydahin is a low-roofed villa that’s been fancy since 1855, with all the timber sash windows you can dream of. It’s got a two-storey rear block for extra mystery.

Explorer Tom Gates in Ballydahin are part of a quay wall grouping that thinks it’s Mallow Bridge’s best friend. The seagulls say it’s pretentious for being so well-crafted. Walk past quickly, don’t let the gulls judge your style.

Explorer Tom Mallow Castle Ruin in County Cork has been demolished by time and bad luck. The photo says it was a castle, but now it’s just rubble and regret. Take a picture for me if you pass!

Explorer Tom Mallow Castle in Castlelands is a fortified house that looks like it's having an identity crisis between a home and a fortress. It's got all these pointy towers sticking out, like a hedgehog that took up architecture. It's the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday interesting.

Explorer Tom Graveyard in Mallow has headstones dating back to 1684 and some chest tombs that look very important. It used to be bigger, but now it's just a sloping interior with mature trees lining the walls, which is quite picturesque.

Explorer Tom Mallow Castle Playground has caught my eye in County Cork. I bet a children's playground with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Explorer Tom Ice Ho in Castlelands was a circular brick-lined chamber in Mallow Castle's garden. It was removed before housing development in 1997. Shame they didn't leave it for us to admire, but who am I to argue with developers?

Explorer Tom Children's playground has caught my eye in County Cork. I bet a children's playground with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Explorer Tom Mallow Town Park - Maple Woods has caught my eye in County Cork. I bet a forest with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Explorer Tom Mallow River Trail has caught my eye in County Cork. I bet a visitor information with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Explorer Tom In loving memory of Elvis O'Donoghue has caught my eye in County Cork. I bet a memorial with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.

Explorer Tom Lover' Leap has caught my eye in County Cork. I bet a cliff with a name like that could keep me talking all afternoon; I'm already inventing a daft little scene for it, and I'll stop before it turns into history.